7 Enlightening Reasons Meditations Don’t Work
Ever tried a premade meditation that just didn’t work? Ever felt frustrated that a meditation that seems to help hundreds or thousands of people is just a nothing burger for you? Have you ever thought there was something wrong with you and said to yourself, “meditations don’t work”?
Premade meditations don’t work for some people for a bevy of reasons. Because of how your spirit and ego process energy and information, you may be one of those who find a mismatch between premade meditations and you. Premade meditations don’t work for some very logical reasons. It is not a sign that something is wrong with you. What follows are possible reasons why premade meditations don’t work for you.
1. The tone of voice of the speaker isn’t a fit for you
More than we may realize, voices are triggers for good and bad. Past voices can influence your receptiveness or lack thereof. I listen to many speakers on YouTube, podcasts, and audiobooks. I know for myself, a voice can draw me in or turn me off. I have no real reason for it, other than preference. For example, I can listen to Esther Hicks as she channels Abraham, all…day…long. And I often do. My stepson, however, gets annoyed with her. Ultimately, if the voice isn’t right for you, you will be focused on the voice and not the meditation.
2. The Symbols for Meditations Don’t Work for You
Many guided meditations don’t work because they may rely heavily on visualization (“imagine a beach,” “picture a ball of light,” etc.). Because people process information internally in different ways, a specific visual may not achieve its intended effect.
I love the concept of sunlight. That’s so my thing. So, when a meditation tells me to picture, say, “a column of light,” I’m not able to relate very well. I often become frustrated and think to myself, “It’s just a beam of light. How hard is that to picture? Is it a column that goes to heaven? Is it small or large? Does it shoot out of my head? etc.” And once I am in that thought sequence, I’m in my ego. I am out of a meditative state.
A mismatch with the symbols happens for several reasons. Some people are visual thinkers. If they are given a symbol to picture, they may overanalyze it. Another possible cause is that someone is feeling-based, and a specific visual may not evoke the feeling the meditation seeks.
Meditations don’t work for me when I’m asked to picture a column or beam of light. Yet, if I were to picture sunlight surrounding me, I could better connect to the meditation. Because our approach to analyzing images varies, if visualization isn’t your natural mode, the meditation’s instructions can feel forced. And a forced meditation can feel like just a recital of words.
3. The Pacings of the Meditations Don’t Work
Recorded meditations are for a very general audience. If your meditation leader talks too slowly, your mind may wander. If they talk too fast, you may feel rushed. The rhythm of your brain may need a different pace if you are seeking a prerecorded meditation.
4. Meditations Don’t Work Because the Vocals May Stimulate You
There are those of us who are best relaxed in silence. Others find music or nature soothing. Yet others still find words soothing. Personally, I prefer listening to someone talk to me when I go to sleep. I put on a video of someone discussing a topic, and I grow relaxed and sleepy. Friends of mine, actually, my own kids, prefer music. Many times, I have walked into them when they were home and asleep and taken headphones off their heads.
For some, premade meditations don’t work because someone is narrating instructions. When given instructions, your brain has to do three things: listen, interpret, and follow directions. This can actually activate your brain. If your brain is activated, calming it can’t happen at the same time.
5. Premade Meditations Don’t Work Because You Already Have a Strong Internal Awareness
An intuitive person will feel more from the meditation than from the words alone. Intuitives will often pick up on the mood and feelings of the person providing the meditation. Thus, an intuitive person may notice too many sensations while listening to a guided meditation. Instead of relaxing, they may start feeling and thinking things that don’t belong to them, thus making the meditation ineffective.
So, if you are intuitive, it may be that less is best.
6. Meditations Don’t Work If the Script Feels Too Generic
Generic equals general. Many recorded meditations are intended for a broad audience. If you’re looking for a meditation that offers deeper inner work, scripted meditations may feel impersonal, repetitive, and on the surface.
That can make engagement with it very difficult.
7. Meditations Don’t Work Because Your Mind May Need Active Meditation
There are those of us who relax when we are doing something slightly active. Some people relax better when doing something slightly active, such as walking, yoga, stretching, breathing exercises or journaling.
For these personalities, sitting still and listening can actually create restlessness. My ADHD son is always moving in some way. Telling him to be still and listen is very, very difficult. (Okay, it is impossible, and maybe a little cruel.)
While it is true that not all meditations aren’t going to be right for everyone, do not blame yourself if you do not relate to a meditation. If you feel frustrated with premade meditations, analyze why this one or that one is not working for you. But do not stop searching if a premade meditation is what you want. There are more than enough out there to choose from.
Peace, Y’all–Leah
Join me for free and get article updates and announcements for reading specials.
